Vigorous Exercise
| Most recent CO value (2005) |
CO rank (2005) |
CO value (2005) |
Best state (2005) |
Best state value (2005) |
HP 2010 target |
70.1% |
4/39 = 5/50 |
70.1% |
New Hampshire |
72.1% |
85% |
Indicator Definition
Percent of high school students who participated in at least 20 minutes of physical activity vigorous enough to make them sweat and breathe hard, on three or more of the past seven days.
| High school students who participated in vigorous physical activity at least three days in the past week in Colorado5 |
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| High school students who participated in vigorous physical activity at least three days in the past week by sex and race in Colorado6 |
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Indicator Significance
The adolescent years are characterized as a time of seeking greater personal autonomy and choice and therefore lifestyle decisions made during adolescence will likely affect present, as well as future health status. Patterns of activity change during the teen years, with environmental and social factors often encouraging inactivity. They go from the active play of childhood to more sedentary activities that involve talking or “hanging out.” Television, computers and video games increasingly serve as primary recreational outlets for teens. Prolonged periods of inactivity can lead to overweight and obesity, which in turn increase the risk for chronic diseases such as diabetes.1
Colorado Specifics
Colorado high school students fare well in comparison to students in other states with regard to reported levels of physical activity, ranking fourth among 39 states. The most recent data show that 70 percent of high school students report engaging in vigorous physical activity on three or more days over the past week, a rate that has changed little since first measured in 2001. Mirroring national trends, minority youth and girls in Colorado are somewhat less likely to engage in vigorous physical activity than other groups.2
Promising Initiatives
In Colorado
A recent report from the Colorado Children’s Campaign notes that Colorado does not require physical education teachers to be certified nor are statewide data available on how many Colorado schools offer physical education programs. The report notes that “schools have felt pressure to focus on academic accountability, which has led to the elimination of ‘nonessential’ areas of study including nutrition and physical education even though evidence suggests that the cognitive benefits of physical activity during the school day compensates for time not spent on other academic areas.” Citing a parent survey that indicates strong support for physical education requirements in schools, the report recommends that the state collect information on physical education programs in Colorado schools.3
Elsewhere
“5 – 2 – 1 Go!” is the message of a Massachusetts initiative to get at-risk adolescents moving more and eating better to improve their overall health. By promoting the consumption of five or more fruits and vegetables each day, limiting television to two hours a day, and adding one hour of physical exercise, the state hopes to lower the growing number of overweight teens in Massachusetts. Using the Planet Health curriculum developed by the Harvard School of Public Health, the initiative has brought teachers, parents and community members together to develop a health improvement plan. The program has been so successful, it was adopted by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Massachusetts in the creation of after-school programs.4
High school students who participated in vigorous physical activity at least three days in the past week7
Text
- Hardy LL, et al. "Changes in Sedentary Behavior among Adolescent Girls: A 2.5-Year Prospective Case Study." Journal of Adolescent Health; February 2007.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. "Improving the Health of Adolescents and Young Adults: A Guide for States and Communities"; 2004.
- Colorado Connections for Healthy Schools. "Making the Connection Between Health and Learning"; 2005.
- Colorado Children’s Campaign. “Childhood Obesity in Colorado: A Growing Problem”; July 2007.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “States Carry the Load of Obesity Efforts.” Chronic Disease Notes and Reports; Winter 2005.
Charts
- Source: Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 2001 – 2005.
- Source: Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 2005.
- Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Healthy Youth, 2005.